🐎 Draw a New Year Horse Around Historic Takeo Shrine and Hot Springs 🗻
Start your New Year with a refreshing blend of history, culture, and exploration on this 27km GPS art course that draws a majestic horse around the city of Takeo. At its heart stands Takeo Shrine, an ancient sanctuary associated with Minamoto no Yoritomo. The shrine is renowned for its traditional yabusame ritual—held every autumn—where archers perform horseback archery, preserving the area’s long-standing bond with horses. Its dignified atmosphere makes it an ideal place for a New Year visit.
The route expands outward from the shrine, connecting a rich selection of Takeo’s landmarks. Early in the course, runners and walkers pass Takeo-Onsen Station and the Takeo City Hall, continuing toward the celebrated Takeo City Library, a modern cultural hub that attracts visitors from across Japan. The course then guides participants to iconic symbols of the hot spring town, including the nationally designated Important Cultural Property, Takeo Onsen Romon Gate—a vibrant architectural gem—and the colossal Great Camphor Tree of Tsukasaki, a sacred natural monument radiating ancient energy.
Additionally, the route incorporates local favorites such as Youme Town Takeo and the Takeo Keirin velodrome, giving participants a glimpse into the daily life of the city. The landscape surrounding the course reflects the gentle terrain of the Takeo Basin on the edge of the Saga Plain, making for a comfortable yet engaging long-distance walk or run.
With its harmonious blend of natural beauty, historic depth, and cultural vibrancy, Takeo offers an ideal setting for a meaningful New Year activity. Tracing a horse—a powerful symbol for the year—this 27km GPS art route provides not only creative satisfaction but also a memorable way to welcome fresh fortune and energy for the coming year.
DETAIL (EXTERNAL LINK)
A PIONEER IN GPS ART.
1st work was authorized by Guinness World Records as “the Largest GPS Drawing”.
He is the only Japanese person to be featured in a Google documentary as an innovator. He is fascinated by the idea of drawing with GPS and has published more than 2,000 courses.
